LucyXpher

Vencko is always cooking! Just don't ask about the secret sauce... or do, up to you really.

I agree with AJ's article, though I do want it to be known that none of us get as far as we did without AJ being an incredible GM. If not for him being so welcoming and supportive early on, building up the locker room, giving us tips, tpe earning advice, encouragement to keep going, etc... I don't know if we would have all made it past the learning phase which can be a bit intimidating. So yeah... more ads in the future for sure, but we need good VHLM GMs like AJ (not saying the others aren't good, just don't know them as well). Thanks for everything this past season, AJ!

I'm excited to come up to the VHLE and VHL in the same rookie class as you and look forward to seeing how your player develops! I'm also looking forward to getting settled with a new team for this next season. The offseason is interesting, but kinda weird because the VHLM is done but I don't have a main club so everything is kinda temporary right now. Who knows, maybe we'll end up in the same place, that'd be awesome!

I’d like to apply and I’m open to either Mexico or Halifax

Look at all those Bulls! What a team! Fantastic article! It was really well written and researched, and I loved how you gave accurate scouting reports without breaking the fourth wall. That's the kind of writing I enjoy the most on here, I think all the sths talk is better done behind the scenes. Should be a super fun draft and I can't wait to see where we all land!

USA all the way! Awesome graphics too, thanks for doing that!

Thanks! Can't wait to see where we all land! Gonna be fun coming up with such a great group!

1. What a run! A second round exit is nothing to be disappointed about, top 4 in the league! After the loss, what were the emotions/thoughts going through your player's head? 2. End of the season is actually a beautiful time to finally get that extra sleep you've been craving, or maybe pick up a skill you've been wanting to try with your new free time. What will you do with your free time to start your off-season? 3. We had a lot of new friendly faces enter the locker room this season. So many bright and fun people put on the Bulls jersey! What was your favorite part about being a Bull this season? 4. Houston Texas, home of the Houston Bulls of the VHLM: RIOTS STRIKE!! Gang leader of the "Vencko's Sobriety Test" gang (VST for short) got his crew to riot through the streets of Houston after our loss to Philadelphia. Did you join in on the riots? Houston GM AJW was seen throwing a flaming pitchfork at a picture of Philly GM @Lemorse7. 5. Let's talk about that draft! VHL and VHLE drafts are coming up, have any GMs started reaching out to interview you? Which team(s) are your favorite as of this week? 6. It's been a really fun season but you can't hold onto the past, I'm already thinking of the next VHLM draft! Do you have any plans/goals for your player next season? Are you trying to earn that extra TPE per week? Maybe you want to hit a 30 goal milestone?

One can hope

In Pamplona, Spain, there's a long-standing tradition of running bulls through the streets of the city. Originally serving the practical purpose of moving the animals in from the country side to the city for sale, the tradition-- which began around the 13th century-- eventually evolved into a festival where members of the general public would run through the streets ahead of the bulls. While the running no longer serves any practical purpose, it continues annually and still attracts people from around the world, especially the thrill seeking types. Sadly, for those who tempt fate, the bulls claim lives every year and the festival has drawn criticism for being barbaric and dangerous. I'm not here to moralize for or against the practice which has endured in Spain for generations, but I do want to draw a comparison. There's an old adage, "When you mess with the bull, you get the horns." There are natural consequences for certain risks. Anyone choosing to willingly run through the streets with bulls should at least consider the potential for being seriously injured or even killed. It's a harsh reality, but what else could you expect from a frenzied herd of horned beasts? @Pifferfish Jorgen Lovstrom (above) This brings me to the title of this article, my last article on the Season 92 Houston Bulls-- tempting fate. This season's Bulls team lived up to the ferocity of the animal on their crest. This was a physical team that loved to throw the body and punish their opposition physically. During the playoffs alone, the Bulls led the league in hits with 294 in 12 games. This style of play comes with its upside in that it can force an opponent to play tentatively, constantly looking over their shoulders to see where the next charging bull is coming from. The Bulls also led the league in penalty minutes with 159, and herein lies the drawback and inherent risk of a high level of physical play, especially if it becomes reckless and undisciplined. This season's Bulls were constantly straddling that line. Sometimes their physical play was a dominant feature of their team game and it created space for their more skilled players to create offense. In other cases, the physicality got away from them and produced some unwanted consequences and unfortunate results. Game 6 of the Founder's Cup Semi-Final against the Philadelphia Reapers was an example of just that. Despite being out-hit, 30-25, the Bulls took 10 penalties. In a game of fine margins that the Bulls were in until the end, all it took was the Reapers converting on 1 of those 10 powerplay attempts to seal the game and the series, punching their ticket to the finals. It's an unfortunate outcome for a Houston team that has grown so much over the span of the 72 game season. The disappointment in the Houston locker room after the loss was more than apparent as the team had full buy-in and belief in the process that they had committed to from day one. A loss like this can certainly shake belief and cause a team to become demoralized after leaving everything on the ice, and that in itself is a tempting fate. Fate is a cruel mistress and a cunning temptress. It's all too easy to become overly fixated on what went wrong and why things didn't work out on the ice. Sometimes that negative mindset is even appealing. It can feel good to vent, or complain, or blame, or cry, or feel like the whole world is conspiring against you to see your demise. I think it's healthy to allow oneself to experience such emotions after suffering a loss-- but not to allow them to linger indefinitely. The Houston Bulls have so much to be proud of and this season can only be called a success, despite their failure to cap it off with a Founder's Cup. Going from a team with only 4 players on the roster after the VHLM dispersal draft, to the team with the most contributing roster players and the consensus top team on paper is nothing short of remarkable. The Bulls' general manager, @AJW deserves a tremendous amount of credit for his role in building the team and the culture around the locker room. He should undoubtedly be in consideration for GM of the Year for his efforts and results, though he'd humbly credit the players for their hard work and determination. What cannot be disputed is the effort of this group as a whole, from their GM AJ, AGM @Nathan_8, and every one of their players who contributed to the positivity of the team, both on and off the ice. This kind of positivity is what will help propel many of these players to long and successful VHL careers as they move on from the Bulls next season-- it's the good habits and friendships that combat the temptation of thinking all is lost. For many of these Bulls players, this is only the beginning of their career, and despite a crushing defeat, they have so much further to climb and work towards. A Founder's Cup, while a fantastic achievement, is not the pinnacle of the sport and only represents a goal along the path toward the top. Sure, every player in the VHLM wants to win it, but how many players would truly be satisfied playing in the VHLM, forever chasing that goal? The M is a transitional league to help develop the skills of players coming from junior divisions, to prepare them for the rigors and competition of the higher pro ranks. While it's a great goal to win at every level, in the grand scheme, the goal of VHLM players is to start their career out on the right foot, and the Houston Bulls as a collective have really embodied that competitive spirit of practice and growth. There are so many players on this roster who began the season with little to no experience. Through hard work, collaboration, and dedication, so many of them have developed into top prospects in the upcoming VHL and VHLE drafts. It's truly a testament to the success of the the Bulls management group and developmental support system which has enabled their players to grow in leaps and bounds. So while it's a disappointing end to a thrilling playoff run, the Bulls had already won-- sure, maybe not on the scoresheet, but some things are bigger than a scoresheet. (Lauren Lambert has come unstuck in time) Look, maybe this is just me writing my way though a heartbreaking loss, trying to come to terms with what comes next. I'm a melodramatic artist and I'm coping, okay?! Oh, you thought I was an unbiased journalist who just reported the facts? That's funny... I guess I don't value professionalism enough to leave my allegiances at the door when I start writing an article. Well, now you know... When you mess with the bull, you get the horns... but there's another saying, "Grab the bull by the horns". When facing adversity or risk, sometimes the best strategy is to attack the problem, to face it head on, to get up close and personal with danger and conquer it. While this offseason may have come sooner than Houston would have hoped, they have an opportunity to put this time to good use, for players to continue developing, and to use this loss as motivation for future goals. There is a lot to be excited for with the VHL Draft coming up this offseason, the Victory ProAm, the Junior Showcase Tournament, and the World Junior Championships right around the corner. There are plenty of reasons for this Bulls squad to bounce back and get refocused-- re-motivated-- to continue working towards their ultimate goal of playing at the highest level. I, for one, will be following these players closely, though it's with a heavy heart that I move on from regular coverage of the Houston Bulls. It's been a fantastic run with the Bulls this season, full of drama and excitement on and off the ice. Wherever I end up next, I know I will always look back fondly on this past season as it was remarkable and gratifying in so many ways. Thanks to all who have been reading me faithfully and I look forward to bringing you more VHL/E/M articles in the near future. Until then, keep running! .·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·. Lauren Lambert for VHL.com claiming intoxication until next season...

Absolutely incredible work! Wish I had those skills

Great preview! Respectfully, I'm going to go the other way and pick Philadelphia to win (For whatever that's worth... I was totally wrong about the last round lol). Obviously, Lovstrom @Pifferfish will be a huge factor in this series, but maybe we've been overlooking the rest of this Reapers roster. I have a hard time seeing Philly losing to any team over a 7 game series right now with the way they've got their whole team going. On paper, maybe they're still not the most impressive, but they've been proving us wrong for a while now and maybe there is just something seriously right about the way this team is built. I'd guess Philly in 7, but I can'tsay I'd be surprised to see Vegas take it either. Should be a close and entertaining series either way! Also, best of luck to you @Noodle Enjoyer and your player Annie Oaks! One of my favorite players to follow all season and very deserving of being in the finals with a chance to win the Founder's Cup!

Great article! People better not be sleeping on Ecker!

I appreciate the feedback btw! And I updated the article, "At defense, the Rush selected WWumbo as their top player and added two of the VHLM's most physical players in Cody Toland and Billy Joel." I think it's definitely worth mentioning that the Rush got both of you! Gonna be a scary D pair if they put you together!

Sure, Billy Joel also finished the season with fewer hits and pims than Toland. Anyway, they're both among the most physical, but Toland had the most pims in the league and was 3rd in total hits which is why I shouted him out.

Thanks so much! Glad to be teammates again in this tournament!

I can’t wait to look silly! best of luck to the Warriors!

Ugh typo! Pinn was included in the roster section, missed him in the power ranking. Fixed it lol, apologies to Pinn Jinn! lol too many dang Jinns!

Thanks AJ, I really appreciate it!

Thanks Can't wait to be teammates in this tournament!

With the VHLM regular season in the rear view mirror and the second round of the playoffs getting underway, gazes begin to shift toward the Junior Showcase Tournament-- an opportunity for those players who are eligible for the Season 93 and 94 VHL and VHLE entry drafts to put their skills on display and show scouts and general managers what they can do. After last season's JST was canceled because of a lack of eligible players, the tournament is back this season and bursting with talent after an influx of new players who entered the VHLM in Season 92. While the VHLM is a league that allows players to cut their teeth, the JST is where players bare their fangs, sharpened and glistening white. After a full season of development, players will be eager to prove themselves against the top talents in their draft class. Some players will be coming off of a disappointing season or a difficult playoff loss and will be seeking a shot at redemption. Others will be out to prove that their regular season or playoff success was not accidental, but repeatable, even in a different environment with different teammates. Unlike an All-Star game where there is nothing on the line, the players in this tournament have their futures to play for. Playing a great tournament could see a player's draft stock rise, while a disappointing showing might plant seeds of doubt in the minds of scouts and general managers looking to build their team in the upcoming drafts. Whichever way you look at it, the JST is a fantastic opportunity for draft eligible players to stay active during the offseason as it gives players more motivation to continue training and developing their skills. The tournament is also an excellent opportunity for some up and coming GM prospects to gain invaluable experience building and managing a roster. It is a tournament of opportunity, but it will be up to those involved to make the most of it. Without further introduction, let's dive into the rosters of the five teams that will be taking part in the tournament. Here, I'll give you a preview on what to expect from each team, some storylines to follow, and who might be the early favorite to win the tournament. I'll also give you my shortlist of players who might have a little something extra to prove in this tournament. These will be players to keep an eye on as the games begin. *Note: Teams are ordered alphabetically and players are sorted by position and TPE. ⋆★⋆ Brigade: GM @samx, AGM @LucyXpher Forwards: LW - (S93) Chris Reynolds Jr. @Crstats23 72GP - 29G - 42A - 69P LW - (S93) UghSike @UghSike --> 72GP - 28G - 32A - 60P LW - (S94) Maverick Goncalves @leandrofg 20GP -2G - 2A - 4P LW - (S94) Pombo @samx 20GP - 1G - 0A - 1P C - (S93) Tyler Lawson @Nyx 56GP - 20G - 36A - 56P C - (S94) Pierre Marc Bouchard @Gaikoku-hito 18GP - 7G - 7A - 14P C - (S93) Micah Cederbaum @MicahC 48GP - 1G - 1A - 2P C - (S94) Tommy Shelby @Will RW - (S93) Armas Jortikka @Kavadar 44GP - 16G - 14A - 30P Defense: D - (S93) Lucy Leitner @LucyXpher 72 GP - 16G - 60A - 76P D - (S93) Wladyslaw Mintus @mintusaurus 60GP - 9G - 31A - 40P D - (S93) Masa Akimoto @Hokikeijot 48GP - 5G - 18A - 23P D - (S93) Connor Mclaughlin @Connor Mclaughling 62GP - 7G - 12A - 19P D - (S93) Landon Flatt @Lando10 72GP - 6G - 26A - 32P Goalie: G - (S93) Kendra Cavill @Firekiss 60GP - 22W - .893 SV% - 3.54 GAA - 2SO G - (S93) Da TypThond @Erik 11GP - 6W - .897 SV% - 3.18 GAA The current GM of the Helsinki Titans, @samx offered her services and expertise to manage the Brigade in this season's Junior Showcase Tournament when the team needed a last minute replacement. Up and comer, @LucyXpher, joined up as the AGM partway through the draft to fill out the team's front office. On paper, the team is a collection of solid players--though perhaps not flashy-- some of whom might have been undervalued in the JST draft. A good number of these players saw limited ice time in secondary or depth roles for their VHLM clubs this past season, but could be primed to take a leap forward with more opportunity. Up front, the Brigade will feature two strong left wingers in Chris Reynolds Jr. and UghSike, with further depth at the position in Maverick Goncalves and Pombo. One of these players will likely need to play on their off wing or at center, however, as it is not likely the team will ice four full forward lines-- at least not to begin the tournament. Tyler Lawson had an exceptional year in Houston in a secondary role and will look to shine in more minutes with the Brigade in this tournament. Pierre Marc Bouchard is also a coveted prospect who could see some serious development, even over the course of this tournament, making him a good value pickup with a rising ceiling. On defense, the Brigade selected Lucy Leitner with the 3rd overall pick and did well to add quality in Wladyslaw Mintus, Masa Akimoto, Connor Mclaughlin, and Landon Flatt. With increased ice time and greater responsibility, these defenders will be called upon to elevate their game from their VHLM level. There was a run on goalies early on in the JST draft that left the Brigade digging a little deeper for options. Ultimately, they would settle on Halifax's number one goalie, Kendra Cavill, who had a fairly strong season despite being on a weaker team. With control of the net and competitive teammates, Cavill will be a goalie to watch to see whether or not they can measure up to the likes of Lovstrom, Vencko, and Kaskiniemi-Kekkonen. On paper, goaltending may be a more obvious weakness for the Brigade, but there's a reason the games are played and Cavill will certainly have something to prove. If all else fails, the Brigade selected Da TypThond as their second goalie who had a respectable record, albeit in limited ice time this past season with Las Vegas. ⋆★⋆ Royals: GM @horoscope, AGM @Mysterious_Fish Forwards: LW - (S93) Forum Content @frescoelmo --> 72GP - 41G - 64A - 105P LW - (S94) Wally Lose @youloser1337 20GP - 3G - 7A - 10P LW - (S93) Kevin OConnor @Luke033 72GP - 15G - 38A - 53P C - (S93) Antonia Bucatini @CowboyinAmerica --> 72GP - 38G - 43A - 81P C - (S94) The Phantom of the VHL @Hogan 16GP - 4G - 3A - 7P RW - (S93) Annie Oaks @Noodle Enjoyer --> 72GP - 41G - 54A - 95P RW - (S93) Steve French @Seabass 72GP - 43G - 46A - 89P RW - (S94) Maple Dogwood @dogwoodmaple 18GP - 7G - 7A - 14P Defense: D - (S94) Felicia Hardy @JCarson 20GP - 0G - 1A - 1P D - (S94) Toby Cook @KRZY 20GP - 5G - 6A - 11P D - (S93) Magni Jinn @DontCallMeCarson 72GP - 16G - 59A - 75P D - (S93) Enn Jinn @jhatty8 72GP - 21G - 68A - 89P D - (S93) Pinn Jinn @Eagle Eye 72GP - 13G - 37A - 50P D - (S94) kevin jonathen @meandyoc Goalie: G - (S93) Herald Benson @Benson 29GP - 13W - .892 SV% - 3.3 GAA - 1SO G - (S93) Samuel Wazinski @samthemancub 64GP - 35W - .904 SV% - 2.91 GAA - 2SO For the Royals, @horoscope is on his first tour of duty as a general manager and has brought along San Diego Marlins GM, @Mysterious_Fish, to be his AGM. On paper, it seems that the management duo has done well for themselves, securing top players at each position. The question with this team will be whether these players can reproduce their VHLM success in this tournament. With a potential top line of Forum Content - Antonia Bucatini - Annie Oaks, the Royals have ensured that they will not lack firepower. With Kevin OConnor and Steve French also added to the forward corps, they will undoubtedly be a frightening group to go up against. The Phantom of the VHL might also be a bit of a sleeper pick who can punch above his weight in terms of draft position and I would probably put Wally Lose in that same category. On defense, Magni Jinn, Enn Jinn, and Pinn Jinn might be the team's top defensemen in terms of scoring track record as they were among the VHLM's top defenders. There is some concern, however, that their numbers may have been slightly inflated playing on a Reapers team that was clicking all season long. Conversely, it should not be discounted that these three were also highly instrumental to their team's success and deserve credit for this as well. It remains to be seen how the defensive depth chart will shake out for the Royals. It is a real possibility that Felicia Hardy and Toby Cook may end up as the top pairing on this team, despite only having a combined 12 points in 40 games last season compared with the 214 in 216 by all three Jinns combined. In goal, the Royals, like the Brigade, missed the early run on goalies. That said, they were able to secure Herald Benson, one of the best backups in the VHLM last season, and he will surely be looking to prove he deserves a starting job going forward. Despite lacking the pedigree of Vencko in Houston, Benson actually held his own in the head to head battle for the crease for most of the season, and only fell behind the Czech down the stretch. The Royals also picked up another capable goaltender in Samuel Wazinski, who backstopped the San Diego Marlins to 35 wins in 64 games this season, recording 2 shutouts along the way. ⋆★⋆ Steel: GM @dstevensonjr, AGM @Pifferfish Forwards: LW - (S93) Filip Zinek @FiZi 72GP - 21G - 27A - 48P LW - (S93) Elf shoes @ELF_SH0ES 72GP - 11G - 18A - 29P C - (S93) Vanuza Kolesinska @chikn 72GP - 31G - 48A - 79P C - (S93) Taylor Swift @lilchrist 70GP - 34G - 51A - 85P C - (S93) Aiden Paige @Apaige131 56GP - 6G - 18A - 24P C - (S93) Jacob Longstreet @Dynamicmlb_42 26GP - 1G - 2A - 3P RW - (S93) Trimiskez Artav @jake 72GP - 43G - 45A - 88P RW - (S93) Jack Dickens @Mystery_boy98 64GP - 10G - 10A - 20P RW - (S93) Cole Stermer @Bazeus 38GP - 7G - 18A - 25P Defense: D - (S93) Benjamin Abenduct @Schnee 68GP - 23G - 58A - 81P D - (S93) Gul Dukat @MSouthworth 72GP - 18G - 47A - 65P D - (S93) Blaze Thunderstrike @eaglesfan036 44GP - 4G - 24A - 28P D - (S94) Lazlo Holmes @Gustav 14GP - 6G - 9A -15P D - (S94) Donald Carlson @AW13 18GP - 2G - 6A - 8P Goalie: G - (S93) Ondrej Vencko @Mutti 50GP - 27W - .892 SV% - 2.94 GAA - 1SO G - (S93) Austin Goulet III @Tuchy 42GP - 14W - .886 SV% - 3.46 GAA The Steel enlisted @dstevensonjr to take the helm as a first time general manager, along with @Pifferfish as his assistant. Despite this being his first kick at the proverbial can, the Steel GM demonstrated his overall preparation and shrewdness with the first overall pick, wasting little time taking the top rated defender, Benjamin Abenduct. Knowing that high-end defenders would be in short supply, the Steel made a smart move and got their guy. With a keen eye on the Houston Bulls talent pool, the Steel would go on to select Trimiskez Artav, a high scoring right winger, Filip Zinek, Jack Dickens, and goaltender Ondrej Vencko. These 5 Bulls fill important roles on this Steel roster and it will be interesting to see if their chemistry can carry over from the VHLM. Besides ZInek, Artav, and Dickens, the Steel took a top center in Vanuza Kolesinska and bolstered their center depth chart with Taylor Swift and Aiden Paige. These players should offer them a quality one-two-three punch down the middle of the ice and will be flanked by the aforementioned Bulls. The Steel also drafted another center, Jacob Longstreet, but it remains to be seen if he will be called upon to play as a winger or stay at his natural position. This will ultimately depend on how many lines the managers elect to send over the boards. On defense, Abenduct is paired with a friend of his in Gul Dukat, and it seems likely that the two will become a formidable top pair for the Steel. I have to think that the Steel knew this when drafting them and it may be an important piece of scouting that really pays off for them in this tournament. Blaze Thunderstrike is a good option on the second pair along with Lazlo Holmes who is off to a torrid start to his career. Donald Carlson has also impressed in limited VHLM games and may be an important contributor if given the chance on this Steel blueline. In goal, the Steel chose Ondrej Vencko. After Lovstrom, Vencko is considered by many to be either the second or third best goalie prospect in the VHLM and is currently leading his Houston Bulls into the second round of the playoffs. Vencko is more than capable of stealing games and is a stable presence in the net. Off the ice... well... stable is not exactly the first word that comes to mind. Let's just stick with presence... ⋆★⋆ Warriors: GM @Nathan_8, AGM @Alex Forwards: LW - (S93) Jean-Pierre Devote @eagle_3450 --> 72GP - 52G - 54A - 106P LW - (S93) Connor simard @Alex99 46GP - 15G - 22A - 37P LW - (S93) Owen two @do3bo1 40GP - 3G - 9A - 12P C - (S93) French Fries @solyom 72GP - 16G - 35A - 51P C - (S93) Murray Connolly @Blakemac22 56GP - 2G - 16A - 18P C - (S93) Isaak Robinson @isaak 72GP - 15G - 17A - 32P RW - (S93) Yermolai Nabokov @fonziGG 72GP - 46G - 57A - 103P RW - (S93) Leon Bruhmaninho @BigBruhman --> 72GP - 26G - 44A - 70P RW - (S93) Ocean Codoller @FreshOceanCod 72GP - 21G - 36A - 57P RW - (S94) Donnis Orange Krupis @hedgehog337 Defense: D - (S94) Jillian Woods @jacobcarson877 20GP - 3G - 9A - 12P D - (S93) Ray Stanton @horoscope --> 38GP - 10G - 22A - 32P D - (S93) Carson Tripp @Cartripp14 50GP - 12G - 36A - 48P D - (S93) Zeal-Emiritus Fleming @FabioF04 72GP - 9G - 34A - 43P Goalie: G - (S93) Aleksanteri Kaskiniemi-Kekkonen @Snussu 67GP - 39W - .905 SV% - 2.62 GAA - 1SO G - (S93) Alexander ovieckin jr @penguinb19 69GP - 27W - .868 SV% - 3.99 GAA - 1SO The Houston Bulls AGM, @Nathan_8, has taken the reins of this year's Warriors team with the experience of @Alex as his AGM. The Warriors took a swing for the fences with Jean-Pierre Devote at second overall and snagged Yermolai Nabokov with a subsequent pick. The combo of Devote and Nabokov on the wings with French Fries in the middle is a mouth watering prospect. With depth centers Murray Connolly and Isaak Robinson flanked by Leon Bruhmaninho and Ocean Codoller, this is a team that will be able to boast depth in addition to its high end firepower. On the defensive side, the Warriors nabbed one of the top S94 prospects in Jillian Woods and added great value in Ray Stanton, Carson Tripp, and Zeal-Emiritus Fleming. While most of these defenders have proven to some degree that they can play important minutes for their clubs, it remains to be seen if any of them can take command of a top 2 role and become a true top defender that catches the eye of scouts. At the goaltending position, the Warriors selected Aleksanteri Kaskiniemi-Kekkonen as their starter. With this pick, they bought themselves some peace of mind between the pipes, banking on AKK's track record and high pedigree. While his VHLM numbers haven't necessarily measured up to where some expected him to be going into the season, I think it's also safe to say that the Mexico City Kings would not have achieved their 3rd place finish without his solid play in goal. This tournament will be a great opportunity for him to show his true quality and really make a push to move up the goalie rankings for the upcoming drafts. ⋆★⋆ Yukon Rush: GM @UnknownMinion Forwards: LW - (S93) Gianfranco Del Rocco @Victor 72GP - 31G - 33A - 64P LW - (S93) Miner vHLer @Rhynex Entertainment 72GP - 5G - 7A - 12P C - (S93) Walter Jinn @Adrest245 72GP - 34G - 46A - 80P C - (S93) Caleb Nowell @PhoenixsPc 70GP - 13G - 37A - 50P C - (S93) Gavin Bebard @Gavin Bebard :mis: 60GP - 16P - 29A - 45P RW - (S93) Nathan Ecker @Nathan_8 :hou: 72GP - 25G - 23A - 48P RW - (S93) Oliver Loo @Peiffy :mia: 48GP - 6G - 4A - 10P RW - (S93) Anthony Simmons II @Starchychaff :mis: 38GP - 18G - 20A - 38P RW - (S93) Marek Nowaczyk @Chillybro :mis: 47GP - 15G - 12A - 27P Defense: D - (S93) WWumbo @Fire Tortorella :ott: 72GP - 14G - 50A - 64P D - (S93) Cody Toland @ctoland102 :hou: 72GP - 8G - 27A - 35P D - (S93) Billy Joel @The goat of hockey :sdm: 72GP - 6G - 14A - 20P D - (S93) Russell Sprout @betta57 :sdm:-->:ssk: 72GP - 9G - 37A - 46P D - (S93) Phil Taylor @Legacy :mis: 60GP - 13G - 27A - 40P Goalie: G - (S93) Jorgen Lovstrom @Pifferfish :phi: 62GP - 48W - .918 SV% - 2.34 GAA - 3SO G - (S93) Connor Hellebuyck @HockeyFan4Life :mex: 6GP - 2W - .887 SV% - 3.43 GAA For the Yukon Rush, @UnknownMinion leads the way as a GM with some experience. He previously spent one season as the GM of Halifax in the VHLM, one season as GM of Geneva in the VHLE, and two seasons as GM of Bratislava in the VHLE. His resume also boasts a Gold Medal in the WJHC with Team World. In this season's JST, he has compiled an intriguing roster of players that includes the top goalie in the VHLM in Jorgen Lovstrom. Securing this pick early on in the draft gives the Rush a huge advantage in goal as Lovstrom has displayed remarkable consistency throughout the entirety of the VHLM regular season and into the playoffs. There are many who believe that much of the Philadelphia Reapers' success this season is owed to his calm command of the goal, giving his team the confidence to take risks and produce in front of him. His numbers are head and shoulders above the other goalies in the VHLM and he leads the league with 3 shutouts and an impressive 48 wins. At the forward positions, the Rush can ice a potential top line featuring one of the top prospects in the S93 draft class, Gianfranco Del Rocco. He could be joined by Reaper's standout, Walter Jinn, and Bulls scorer, Nathan Ecker. This trio, though perhaps not as explosive as some of the others we've previewed, is not to be underestimated. Ecker has quietly built himself up in a depth role for the Houston Bulls and a stint on the top line for the Rush could be all he needs to catapult himself up the draft board. With the balanced skills of Walter Jinn down the middle and the high-end scoring prowess of Del Rocco, this could be a sleeper pick for one of the most productive lines in the tournament when it's all said and done. At defense, the Rush selected WWumbo as their top player and added two of the VHLM's most physical players in Cody Toland and Billy Joel. If he stays out of the penalty box, his physical play can quickly become an advantage as he wears the opposition down. Billy Joel, Russel Sprout, and Phil Taylor are also great value pickups in the later parts of the draft that could prove to be steals. ⋆★⋆ Roster Power Rankings: With the rosters set, the tournament is only days away from puck drop. Based solely on the rosters available to us at the time of writing, I've put together an early power ranking of how these teams might stack up against each other. Please keep in mind that this is only my opinion based on the current rosters. These rosters are still subject to change as teams begin to sign free agents and play games. It's also worth noting that none of the teams have released any lineup information, so this is based purely on the apparent quality of the rosters you see above. Making this preliminary ranking was difficult because there is very little to choose between most of these rosters as they all seem to offer notable strengths and some weaknesses. This should make for a highly competitive tournament as the games get underway. 1. Royals The prospect of a Content-Bucatini-Oaks line is too tantalizing for me to rank this team any lower than first, especially considering they have OConnor, French, and the Jinns on defense. Herald Benson is probably the biggest question mark on this team for me, but I think he certainly has the potential to embrace this role and be a proper number 1 option. If Benson falters, Samuel Wazinski is also a very capable goalie, so I struggle to see how goaltending will be a serious issue for this team. 2. Steel If the Steel decide to play Kolesinska and Swift on the same line, I think they could probably boast the most complete starting lineup in this tournament with Artav joining those two up front and the partnership of Abenduct and Dukat locking down the back end. In goal, Ondrej Vencko is about as good as they come... if you don't have Lovstrom, that is. 3. Warriors The headline here is Devote and Nabokov with a side of French Fries. Actually, French Fries is the centerman. This line alone is worth the price of admission to see this team in action. Add AKK in goal and this team has the makings of a contender. I've got the Warriors ranked 3rd because I think the Steel have an edge on defense, especially with their top 2, but I could see this Warriors defense rounding into form very quickly. 4. Yukon Rush Turns out having one of the top draft eligible skaters and the surefire top goalie in the VHLM doesn't guarantee you top spot in the way-too-early power rankings, but I guess I just want to see this team in action before I give them their flowers. I think there are also some questions to be answered on the defensive end. 5. Brigade Last place or 5th overall? Either way, this is the team I am the least sure about in terms of day one performance, but it’s the one that I think may have the most sneaky potential to be better than we expected. With a number of S94 eligible selections who are developing rapidly, as well as top players like Reynolds Jr., UghSike, Lawson and Leitner, who will likely benefit from more ice time, it's difficult to predict what the ceiling is for this team. Goaltending may be the biggest question mark for the Brigade who are putting a lot of faith in Cavill with TypThond as a backup option. ⋆★⋆ 3 Players With Something to Prove: 1. Kendra Cavill - Brigade: Of all the goalies picked, Cavill is the least known quantity. Because Halifax struggled throughout much of the VHLM season, it's difficult to separate the team's performance from Cavill's stat line. Cavill has shown examples of quality and ability evidenced by 2 shutouts this season. Even on a significantly worse team, that's more than Benson, Vencko, and AKK who each recorded 1 shutout this season. Cavil's .893 SV% is also comparable to the .892% held by both Vencko and Benson. It's not a lot to go on, but there are signs of a quality goalie here and Cavill will need to be sharp from the start to prove the doubters wrong. 2. Miner vHLer - Yukon Rush: They say defense wins championships, but does leadership? Miner vHLer is known to be an exceptional locker room presence, though his actual hockey skills leave something to be desired. He's come this far on the back of his morale boosting abilities, but it remains to be seen whether he can lead a team to a championship. He still has the chance to do it with the Houston Bulls as an Assistant Captain, but if he could prove his effectiveness in the JST, it could see his draft stock rise. At the moment, GMs are still unsure about his true value and likely won't risk a high pick on leadership personified. 3. Enn Jinn - Royals: After an 89 point season as a defenseman in the VHLM, you'd think that a player would have precious little left to prove. This isn't exactly the case with Enn Jinn whose true ability has been in question for much of Season 92. Is this remarkable run of form repeatable with new teammates? On this Royals squad, Jinn will have the familiarity of fellow Reapers teammates Magni Jinn, Pinn Jinn, and Maple Dogwood to lean on, but will need to find chemistry with new linemates quickly if he is to prove his detractors wrong. ⋆★⋆ Well, that about does it for this JST preview. The tournament this season promises to be full of intrigue and opportunity for players to really set themselves apart, all that's left to do now is play the games! ════ ⋆★⋆ ════ LucyXpher for VSN

He would never stoop so low! ...way to go vencko!

What a season and what a weapon to have on the defense! Awesome graphic too, well done!

You’re a good player, definitely need to be mentioned! Should be a fun series between y’all! And thanks for the kind review!

The first round of the VHLM playoffs is over and there weren't any major upsets, despite the fact that the top seeded team only won two out of the four series. Philadelphia and Vegas, the number 1 and 2 seeds, knocked out Saskatoon and Ottawa respectively in 6 games. The 5th seeded Houston Bulls took care of business against the San Diego Marlins in game 6 as well and punched their ticket to round 2. And finally, the 6th seed Miami Marauders defeated the 3rd overall Mexico City Kings in a thrilling game 7 between two very evenly matched squads. And so, while the Marlins, Kings, Wild, and Lynx pack their bags and call their caddies, Philadelphia prepares for a second round battle against Houston, and Las Vegas gets set for a matchup with Miami. Both of these series promise to be highly competitive with very little advantage for one side or the other, despite what the seeding might say. (1) Philadelphia Reapers vs. (5) Houston Bulls This is a series I've been wanting to see for a while now and that's because it's the battle of the league champions and the paper champions. Allow me to explain. The Philadelphia Reapers won the regular season in convincing fashion, proving that they were the class of Season 92. The Houston Bulls, on the other hand, finished in only 5th place overall, despite rostering possibly the deepest team in the VHLM. There are a lot of pundits who believe that the Houston Bulls are currently the best team in the league on paper, and have rushed to declare them as Founder's Cup favorites, but we all know that paper doesn't matter once the puck is dropped. Only one team can move on to the finals and we will find out whether paper triumphs over practice. To be fair to the Bulls, the team has been in a constant state of growth since the beginning of the season and is peaking at the right time. Secondary scorers like Lawson @Nyx and Ecker @Nathan_8 have really come into their own and could very easily be top players on lesser teams. Add to that the dominance of their top line featuring Artav @jake, Bucatini @CowboyinAmerica, and Reynolds Jr. @Crstats23, their forward group is as strong at the top as any. The Bulls also boast one of the strongest defensive corps in the VHLM, led by Abenduct @Schnee on the top pairing alongside the physical menace, Cody Toland @ctoland102. In goal, Vencko @Muttihas developed into a true number one goalie and compares favorably with anyone in the league. Suffice it to say, it is probably true that the Bulls regular season record does not adequately capture the current state of the roster which has grown tremendously over 72 games. The Reapers on the other hand have surprised critics all season by extracting extraordinary performances out of unsuspecting players. Players like Enn Jinn @jhatty8, Walter Jinn @Adrest245, Pinn Jinn @Eagle Eye, and Magni Jinn @DontCallMeCarson have punched well above their weight all season long. The success of these players has baffled many critics of the team, but it's difficult to argue with results and consistency. We'd also be remiss to neglect to mention the dominance of Nabokov @fonziGG, the Reapers' top scorer, and their goaltender, Lovstrom @Pifferfish, who has been a brick wall all season long. Philly will hope to keep this collective run of form going as we enter round two and they face the Bulls at the height of their development. Prediction: While the Reapers have impressed all season long, it's difficult to imagine how they might overcome the advantage that the Bulls have on paper. Maybe the Reapers conjure up some STHS black magic and continue to make us all look silly for doubting them, but I'm picking the Bulls to upset the in-season champions in 6 games (4-2). (2) Las Vegas Aces vs. (6) Miami Marauders This series, on paper, may be the closest we've seen yet. Miami and Las Vegas have very similarly constructed rosters and both teams boast high octane offense that is at least two lines deep. Vegas has their ace on the back end in Bric Sheithaus @Oldhead91 and the Marauders have the duo of Dukat @MSouthworth and Ennis @DeciBell4 who pitch in from the defense with regularity. Both teams were also involved in high-profile trade deadline moves that saw them acquire even more offensive talent. Annie Oaks @Noodle Enjoyer joined the Aces, giving them one more lethal weapon on the wing, while Forum Content @frescoelmo and UghSike @UghSike joined the Marauders. Both teams also have goaltenders who have showed positive signs of taking a step to the next level, but have yet to do so with consistency. Hugo Boss @Dil for the Aces has been solid for his team, but has not proved that he can consistently be among the league's best. 200 feet away, Shaunca @shaun1979 will line up for Miami, coming off of a strong game 7 performance, but an inconsistent season. Both goalies will be looking to find consistency and a higher level of play as their teams move deeper into the playoffs. Prediction: I genuinely like both of these teams and admire the moves they made at the trade deadline to challenge for a championship this season. Unfortunately, one of these teams will have to go home. While I'd hate to see the Aces sent packing before the final, I think that Miami is going to find another level in this second round series. The incredible talent of their forward group will be just enough to overcome the impressive group Vegas has assembled to take the win in 7 games (4-3). --- Do you agree or disagree? Feel free to let me know why I'm wrong, though I'll have you know that I've predicted the winner correctly in every series so far these playoffs. Look at me hyping myself up... I'm so cringe. Stay tuned for more coverage of these VHLM playoffs! Lauren Lambert for VHL.com 02/21/24